Martyr's Cry MTG Card
1994-08-01 - Number 12
2011-01-10 - Number 19
| Card sets | Released in 2 setsSee all |
| Mana cost | |
| Converted mana cost | 2 |
| Rarity | Rare |
| Type | Sorcery |
Text of card
All white creatures are removed from the game. Players must draw one card for each white creature they control that is lost in this manner.
"It is only fitting that one such as I should die in pursuit of knowledge." —Vervamon the Elder
Cards like Martyr's Cry
Martyr’s Cry stands out in the realm of creature exile spells within Magic: The Gathering. It parallels functionally with cards like Wrath of God, which also clears the battlefield of creatures. However, Martyr’s Cry offers a unique spin by targeting only white creatures and then rewarding the caster with a card draw for each creature exiled this way. Wrath of God doesn’t discriminate by color and doesn’t include the card draw upside.
Another counterpart to consider is Day of Judgment. Similar to Wrath of God, it also destroys all creatures but lacks the additional advantage of card advantage post-wipe that Martyr’s Cry provides. On the other hand, there’s Path to Exile, which exiles a single target creature and grants its controller a land in exchange. While more targeted than Martyr’s Cry, it doesn’t affect the board as broadly nor does it contribute to your hand’s resources.
Ultimately, although Martyr’s Cry has a narrower range, focusing solely on white creatures, its capacity to transform a populated board into potential card draw makes it a card with a unique niche in the strategy of deck building and gameplay in Magic: The Gathering.
Cards similar to Martyr's Cry by color, type and mana cost
Card Pros
Card Advantage: Martyr’s Cry provides a unique method to potentially convert numerous creatures into cards, which can drastically shift the state of your hand and offer a significant edge. In matches where you can dictate the board presence, this card can serve as a turning point by replenishing your resources while impacting your opponent’s strategy.
Resource Acceleration: Although Martyr’s Cry doesn’t directly produce mana or tokens, its ability to exchange creatures for cards can indirectly accelerate your resource building. By drawing into more lands or key spells, it can enhance your play options and pace, helping you to outmaneuver your opponent.
Instant Speed: Martyr’s Cry may not have instant speed itself, but it has a powerful synergy with cards that can be cast at instant speed. In decks tailored to respond to the opponent’s plays, being able to adjust your strategy and potentially cast it following a mass creature summon can be pivotal in taking control of the game.
Card Cons
Discard Requirement: Martyr’s Cry requires players to sacrifice white creatures, which is a significant price to pay, especially if you are counting on a creature-based strategy. This limitation can be problematic when you need to maintain board presence to stay in control of the game.
Specific Mana Cost: This card asks for a precise mana investment of two white mana and one colorless. This specificity potentially makes it more difficult to cast in multicolored decks that might not consistently have the required white mana available when needed.
Comparatively High Mana Cost: With its total mana cost sitting at three, Martyr’s Cry has a higher cost compared to other cards that might not impose such demanding requirements for a potentially similar payoff. This can make it a less appealing addition to decks where mana efficiency is crucial.
Reasons to Include Martyr’s Cry in Your Collection
Versatility: Martyr’s Cry offers a unique role in decks that capitalize on mass creature removal while converting board presence into card advantage. Its ability to exile multiple creatures and potentially draw several cards makes it a potential fit in strategies that manipulate creature density.
Combo Potential: In decks built around synergies with the exile zone or card-drawing mechanisms, Martyr’s Cry can serve as a pivotal piece. Its interaction with cards that benefit from creatures leaving the field or with those that care about drawing multiple cards can be the cornerstone of powerful combos.
Meta-Relevance: As meta shifts and token strategies or creature-heavy decks become prevalent, having Martyr’s Cry in your arsenal means you have an answer that not only clears the board but also refills your hand, keeping you ahead in resources. Such tech choices can give players an edge in the evolving competitive scene.
How to beat Martyr’s Cry
Martyr’s Cry is a niche yet potent card in Magic: The Gathering, providing a unique way to convert white creatures into drawing power. Its ability to exile all white creatures and then allow a player to draw a card for each creature exiled this way can turn the tide of the game by depriving opponents of their army and refilling the caster’s hand. Beating this spell involves strategy and foresight.
To mitigate the impact of Martyr’s Cry, consider diversifying the colors of your creatures to avoid a total wipe. Spell protection or hexproof abilities can guard your key creatures from targeted spells. Using instant-speed spells that grant this protection or counteract exile effects is crucial during a match where Martyr’s Cry is a threat.
Lastly, maintaining card advantage is vital. Cards that allow you to draw or recover from your graveyard can offset the temporary loss caused by Martyr’s Cry. Keeping a balanced board state without overcommitting white creatures reduces the potential impact, ensuring that you remain in a strong position even if this particular spell resolves.
Where to buy
If you're looking to purchase Martyr's Cry MTG card by a specific set like The Dark and Masters Edition IV, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.
For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.
Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.
Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Martyr's Cry and other MTG cards:
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- eBay
- Card Kingdom
- Card Market
- Star City Games
- CoolStuffInc
- MTG Mint Card
- Hareruya
- Troll and Toad
- ABU Games
- Card Hoarder Magic Online
- MTGO Traders Magic Online
See MTG Products
Printings
The Martyr's Cry Magic the Gathering card was released in 2 different sets between 1994-08-01 and 2011-01-10. Illustrated by Jeff A. Menges.
| # | Released | Name | Code | Symbol | Number | Frame | Layout | Border | Artist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1994-08-01 | The Dark | DRK | 12 | 1993 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges | |
| 2 | 2011-01-10 | Masters Edition IV | ME4 | 19 | 1997 | Normal | Black | Jeff A. Menges |
Legalities
Magic the Gathering formats where Martyr's Cry has restrictions
| Format | Legality |
|---|---|
| Oldschool | Legal |
| Commander | Legal |
| Legacy | Legal |
| Oathbreaker | Legal |
| Vintage | Legal |
| Duel | Legal |
| Predh | Legal |
Rules and information
The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Martyr's Cry card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| 2004-10-04 | Only affects creatures on the battlefield, not ones in hands or graveyards. |